How Khusrau Parwíz took Counsel with Gurdwí con­cerning Gustaham and how Gurdya, prompted by Gurdwí, slew him

Time passed; the Sháh's soul grieved at Gustaham.
One day he said in anger to Gurdwí:—
“So Gustaham hath got Gurdya to wife,
And those great companies resort, methinketh,
To him by her advice. A spy of mine
Hath come back from Ámul and all is clear.”
He spake thus till it darkened, and the eyes
Of warriors failed, then while the slaves brought lights
And wine they sent all strangers from the hall,
And holding conclave with Gurdwí the Sháh
Discussed affairs and said: “I have dispatched
Great forces to Ámul to take revenge,
And all have come back wounded and in bonds,
* Have come back full of sorrow and dismay.
There is one plan—a trifle when compared
With crown and throne. Although Bahrám Chúbína
Erred yet Gurdya was ever on our side,
And I have got a scheme, but keep it close.
A letter must be written to Gurdya,
Like wine-streams in the garth of Paradise,
To say: ‘Thou hast been friendly and hast helped me
In all things everywhere. Much time hath passed
While my heart's secret was not on my tongue,

But now the time for speaking hath arrived
Because Gurdwí is as myself to me.
* Look out for some expedient to abate
This foul affliction and put Gustaham
Beneath the stones; then both my heart and home
Are thine. This done, thy troops and partizans
Shall find protection with me everywhere,
Be nowhere treated with contempt, and I
Will give a province unto whom thou wilt
That they may act as rulers, and do thou
Come to the golden palace of my wives,
And thou shalt put an end to my revenge.
Thus will I pledge myself with many oaths,
And add to these yet more assurances.’”
Gurdwí replied: “May the king live for ever,
And be as Venus in the Sign of Virgo.
Thou know'st that I regard my children's lives,
My fruitful lands and all my family,
However precious I account them all,
As worthless when contrasted with thy head.
I will send one to her on this affair
To give her light thereon. I shall require
A letter, written by the Sháh and sealed
With his own signet, like a shining moon.
This will I send my sister by my wife,
And thus put off all our antagonists,
For this is woman's work and specially
For one that is discreet. In mine opinion
Thy words should reach my sister, and the matter
Soon end as thou wouldst wish. The plan is perfect.”
Khusrau Parwíz, on hearing this, rejoiced,
And thought his cares wind, asked his treasurer
For paper, chose words redolent of musk,
And wrote a letter like a garden full
Of roses like the cheeks of the beloved,
Replete with pledges, oaths, and promises,
And manifold advice and flattery.
Whenas the ink of the inscription dried
They sealed the letter with a seal of musk.
Gurdwí wrote counsel too, and much besides,
Reciting first Bahrám Chúbína's deeds
Disgracing all his family and land,
And adding: “God forgive him! May his wrangling
Cause no remorse in him! Those void of wisdom
Heed not the consequences of their acts.
Well, he hath gone and we shall follow him,
Confiding in the justice of our God.
My wife, on coming, will enlighten thee.
Swerve not from what she saith or thou wilt make
Thy fortune's visage wan.”

He put the letter

Writ by the Sháh inside his own and wrapped
Them both in painted silk. The wary wife
Took them and heard those peremptory words.
She hasted for the forest of Narwán—
A woman sent as envoy to a woman.
Thereat Gurdya became like jocund Spring
With cheeks all grace and colour and perfume.
They talked at large about Bahrám Chúbína,
And wept. Then privily Gurdwí's wife gave
Gurdya the letter and made plain the path.
That lion-woman saw the Sháh's dispatch
And, thou hadst said, looked down upon the moon.
She laughed and said: “None with five friends would think
This matter difficult.”

She called her five,

And stationed them by Gustaham's bed-chamber.
She read to them the letter of the Sháh,
But kept it from the chiefs in general.
When she had said her say she quickly made
A compact with them and shook hands thereon.
At night she put the lights out and at once
Pressed with her hands upon her husband's mouth;
Some of the five too came to give her aid,
Came to the couch of that illustrious one.
She struggled greatly with the drunken man,
And silenced him at last. The general
Died in the darkness and bequeathed both night
And shining day to others. There arose
Within the city shouts and cries for help,
In every quarter tempest rose and fire,
And when the dauntless lady heard the din
She clothed her in a Rúman coat of mail.
That night she called the Íránians, spake at large
About the murdered man, showed the Sháh's letter,
And so emboldened them. They blessed the event,
And showered jewels on the document.